Details
A rare [?]South German horary quadrant and lunar volvelle, with leather case, signed on quadrant IOAN.MELCH.LÖW.RITTER, initialled and dated on the lunar volvelle .I.M,L.R.1647
This instrument is made by applying printed-paper diagrams and scale to both sides of a square block of wood. Along one edge is nailed a brass strip, with leaf decorations, and a pair of pinhole sights is formed by bending the ends of the strip -- 2½ x 2½ x 6in. (6.3 x 6.4 x 0.8cm.)
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Quadrant In one corner of this side is screwed a small iron eye from which to hang the plumb-line; the lead bob is present. Adjacent to this is inscribed the latitude AD POLI GRADVS 47 (suitable for Graz or Zrich); in this corner three putti surround an oval frame, perhaps space for the initials of an owner. There follows the horary quadrant for equal hours to the design of Johann Stöffler (1452-1531), published in his Elvcidatio fabricae vsvque astrolabii (1524, and later editions). Here the hour lines are straight, and the solar declination is non-linear. In the present case the declination is shown by scale divisions and vignettes of the signs of the Zodiac. The degree scale 0-90° is on two sides, each degree alternately shaded. Crossed by five of the hour lines are pictured two putti holding an oval frame bearing a lion rampant, flanked by a skull, bone and sandglass. Further decoration is supplied by an hour circle marked 1-12 twice and 1-24, with a Sun's face in splendour at the cente. A ribbon above reads MEMENTO MORI, and either side of the circle are panels showing bow, arrow and quiver, and scythe; and Roman lamp, spade and flail.
Lunar volvelle This side is covered with paper glued to the wooden block, showing calendar and Zodiac circles followed by two volvelles nailed in position, where the paper is attached to brass discs, each with an index. The four corners are occupied by vignettes of the seasons, followed by arcs with the Gregorian Epacts for the years 1646 to 1664. The names of the months are in Latin. Each sign of the Zodiac has a pictorial representation between its symbol and that of the governing planet. The first volvelle has an index that is set to the day of the month, which locates the Sun in its annual course. The edge is divided into the age of the Moon 1-30, but although marked 30, this is actually at 29½ days. The second volvelle has an index to be set at the age of the Moon. The edge is divided to twice twelve hours, and is provided with a lunar phase aperture. The final space is occupied by the initials and date, and an aspectarium: oposition, trine, quartile, sextile. At the very centre, partly obscured by the pivot head, are the initials IHS above three nails (Iesous Hominum Salvator).
The well preserved wooden box, 36 x 2.15/16 x 1in. (8.7 x 7.5 x 2.5cm.), is covered with brown leather, blind tooled on the lid with foliate patterns, and lined on the inside with chamois leather dyed red. There are guide slots for the sights and a compartment for the plumb-bob.
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![A rare [?]South German horary quadrant and lunar volvelle, with leather case, signed on quadrant IOAN.MELCH.LÖW.RITTER, initialled and dated on the lunar volvelle .I.M,L.R.1647](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2000/CSK/2000_CSK_08728_0039_000(125859).jpg?w=1)